Gang vent cap

ABSTRACT

A battery vent cap gang includes a plurality of vent caps. A primary member is operably coupled to each of the plurality of vent caps. A first translation member is operably coupled to a first one of the plurality of vent caps and spaced from the primary member in a first direction. A second translation member is operably coupled to a second one of the plurality of the vent caps and spaced from the primary member in a second direction. An actuator is operably coupled to the primary member, the first translation member, and the second translation member to cause substantially simultaneous rotational movement of the plurality of vent caps.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION

This is a divisional patent application of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 15/606,417 filed May 26, 2017 which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/344,443, filed on Jun. 2,2016. The entire disclosures of the above patent applications are herebyincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to batteries, and more particularly to a batterycover assembly including a vent cap gang which is easily installed andremoved.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many devices use a quarter-turn or bayonet-style attachment inapplications where quick installation and removal are desired. Forexample, lead-acid batteries use this method of attachment for securingthe vent caps within the vent ports. The same attachment method is oftenused in the manufacture of battery watering systems to mount thewatering valves to the vent ports.

A typical prior art battery cover assembly for a battery includes abattery vent cap and a battery cover having a vent port. The vent capand the vent port each include a pair of diametrically opposed bayonettabs. The tabs have substantially similar lead angles. The individualvent cap is manually tightened within the vent port as the vent cap isrotated 90 degrees clockwise (quarter-turn method) by field personnel.This tightening secures the vent cap and provides a seal between aflange of the vent cap and a rim of the vent port. The seal prevents amigration of battery acid out of the battery. The vent cap can be easilyrotated 90° counterclockwise by the user to remove the vent cap from thevent port for routine battery maintenance and inspections. The describedbayonet attachment system has been used for decades and continues to bea common system of attachment for battery vent caps and watering systemson deep-cycle batteries.

Additionally, a push-in style of cap has also been introduced,particularly for caps which are part of battery watering systems. Thepush-in style of construction enables the cap to be pushed into placewithout substantial rotation. The push-in caps are being used on anassembly line by battery manufacturers and manufacturers ofbattery-powered equipment such as golf cart manufacturers, for example.The caps also enable faster installation of battery watering systems.After the caps are pushed into place, the caps can rotate 360 degreeswithin the vent port, which is helpful in aligning connection ports onthe caps with watering system tubing.

A vent cap gang such as shown and described in U.S. Pat. Appl. Pub. No.2013/0034756, hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety,is employed to easily install and remove multiple vent caps of theabove-described types simultaneously. Specifically, the vent cap gangincludes a first elongate member and a second elongate member operablycoupled to vent caps by first and second pins. An actuator is operablycoupled to the elongate members and at least one of the vent caps tocause simultaneous rotation thereof.

However, the position of battery terminals for the batteries may varybetween different types of batteries. In certain cases, the elongatemembers interfere or otherwise collide with the battery terminal posts.Therefore, there is a need for vent cap gangs that accommodate varyingpositions of battery terminals. In order to accommodate the varyingpositions of the battery terminals, vent cap gangs with a primary memberand a pair of secondary members is often employed. The pair of secondarymembers each have a length shorter than the primary member and arediagonally disposed relative to each other about the primary member. Theshorter translation members do not interfere with the battery terminalposts. An example of a vent cap gang with this configuration is shownand described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,477,542, the disclosure of which ishereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Disadvantageously, manufacturing and assembly of the vent cap gangs witha primary member and a pair of translation members may be expensive andinefficient. Additionally, vent cap gangs known are not optimally rigidand ergonomically structured. It is important that the vent cap gangsnot only seal the vent ports but are also easy to install and removewith minimal effort.

It is an object of the present invention to produce a battery coverassembly including a vent cap gang which is easily installed andremoved, wherein a cost and inefficiency of manufacturing and assemblyis minimized.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In concordance and agreement with the present invention, a battery coverassembly including a vent cap gang which is easily installed andremoved, wherein a cost and inefficiency of manufacturing and assemblyis minimized, has surprisingly been discovered.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a battery vent cap gangincludes a plurality of vent caps. A primary member is operably coupledto each of the plurality of vent caps. A first translation member isoperably coupled to a first one of the plurality of vent caps and spacedfrom the primary member in a first direction. A second translationmember is operably coupled to a second one of the plurality of the ventcaps and spaced from the primary member in a second direction. Anactuator is operably coupled to the primary member, the firsttranslation member, and the second translation member to causesubstantially simultaneous rotational movement of the plurality of ventcaps.

According to another embodiment of the disclosure, a battery vent capgang is disclosed. The battery vent cap includes a plurality of ventcaps and a primary member operably coupled to each of the plurality ofvent caps. A first translation member is operably coupled to a first oneof the plurality of vent caps and spaced from the primary member in afirst direction. A second translation member is operably coupled to asecond one of the plurality of vent caps and spaced from the primarymember in a second direction. The first translation member is diagonallypositioned from the second translation member. An actuator is operablycoupled to the primary member, the first translation member, and thesecond translation member to cause substantially simultaneous rotationalmovement of the vent caps.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above objects and advantages of the invention, as well as others,will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from readingthe following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of theinvention when considered in the light of the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a schematic fragmentary top plan view of a battery coverassembly illustrating a vent cap gang with respect to battery terminalposts of a battery cover according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary top perspective view of a battery cover of thebattery cover assembly of FIG. 1, illustrating one of the vent ports ofthe battery cover;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the vent cap gang of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the vent cap gang of FIG. 1, takenthrough the line 4-4;

FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of a first translation member of thevent cap gang of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of a second translation member of thevent cap gang of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the second translation member of FIG. 6;and

FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of an actuator of the vent cap gang ofFIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The following detailed description and appended drawings describe andillustrate various exemplary embodiments of the invention. Thedescription and drawings serve to enable one skilled in the art to makeand use the invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of theinvention in any manner. As used herein, the term “substantially” means“mostly, but not perfectly” or “approximately” as a person skilled inthe art would recognize in view of the specification and drawings. Asused herein the term “about” means “reasonably close to” as a personskilled in the art would recognize in view of the specification anddrawings.

FIGS. 1-8 illustrate a vent cap gang 103 of a battery cover assembly 100according to an embodiment of the present invention. The battery coverassembly 100 includes a battery cover 102 and the vent cap gang 103. Itis understood that the battery cover 102 can be any suitable batterycover 102 as desired to form a substantially fluid-tight seal with abattery (not shown). The battery cover 102 includes a plurality ofspaced apart vent ports 104 formed therein. The vent ports 104 can beformed in the battery cover 102 in any pattern or configuration asdesired such as in a diagonal configuration or a linear configuration,for example. The vent ports 104 include a rim and a pair ofdiametrically opposed, radially inwardly extending bayonet tabs 106. Thebattery cover 102 may also include other features and componentsnecessary for operation of the battery such as a pair of terminals 105and a pair of mounting structures (not shown), for example.

The vent cap gang 103 includes a plurality of vent caps 117 (a firstvent cap 117 a, a second vent cap 117 b, and a third vent cap 117 c). Itis understood that the vent cap gang 103 can include any number of ventcaps 117 as desired such as three vent caps 117, as shown, or four ventcaps, for example corresponding to the number of the vent ports 104.Each of the vent caps 117 cooperates with the respective vent ports 104formed in the battery cover 102. Each of the vent caps 117 includes acylindrical body 118 and a sealing member 119. It is understood that thebody 118 can be formed from any suitable material as desired such as aplastic material, for example.

The body 118 includes an upper portion 120 and a lower portion 121. In anon-limiting example, the lower portion 121 of the vent cap 117 has adiameter slightly less than a diameter between the bayonet tabs 106 ofthe vent ports 104. Each of the lower portions 121 has a pair ofdiametrically opposed, radially outwardly extending bayonet tabs 122.Intermediate the upper portion 120 and the lower portion 121 of eachbody 118 is a radially outwardly extending flange 125. A lower surfaceof the flange 125 is in abutting contact with the sealing member 119which encircles the lower portion 121.

Each of the upper portions 120 has a first pin 126 extending axiallyoutwardly from a center with respect to a rotational axis thereof. Thefirst pins 126 operably couple the vent caps 117 to an elongate primarymember 132. Each of the first pins 126 includes a cylindrical sectionhaving an enlarged end. A configuration of the enlarged end, wherein theenlarged end has slots formed therein, permits the enlarged end of thefirst pins 126 to be inserted into a respective aperture formed in theprimary member 132. The slots permit a compression of the enlarged endthrough the respective aperture of the primary member 132 to engage theprimary member 132 to each of the vent caps 117. A diameter of each ofthe apertures of the primary member 132 is slightly smaller than adiameter of each of the enlarged ends of the first pins 126.

Each of the vent caps 117 includes a radially outwardly extending arm134 (a first arm 134 a extending from the first vent cap 117 a, a secondarm 134 b extending from the second vent cap 117 b, and a third arm 134c extending from the third vent cap 177 c). Each of the arms 134includes a second pin 136 b extending laterally outwardly from a distalend thereof.

The upper portion 120 of the first vent cap 117 a includes the radiallyoutwardly extending first arm 134 a having a second pin 136 a extendinglaterally outwardly from a distal end thereof. As shown, the second pin136 a is offset in respect of a center of the body 118 of the first ventcap 117 a and spaced from the first vent cap 117 a. The second pin 136 aoperably couples the first vent cap 117 a to a first translation member138 a at a first end of the first translation member 138 a. The firsttranslation member 138 a is substantially parallel to and laterallyoffset in a first direction from the primary member 132 prior to andafter an installation of the vent cap gang 103 into the battery cover102. The second pin 136 a includes a cylindrical section having anenlarged end. A configuration of the enlarged end, wherein the enlargedend has slots formed therein, permits the enlarged end of the second pin136 a to be inserted into a respective aperture formed in the first endof the first translation member 138 a. The slots permit a compression ofthe enlarged end through the respective aperture of the firsttranslation member 138 a to engage the first translation member 138 a tothe first vent cap 117 a. A diameter of the aperture of the firsttranslation member 138 a is slightly smaller than a diameter of theenlarged end of the second pin 136 a.

The upper portion 120 of the second vent cap 117 b includes a radiallyoutwardly extending second arm 134 b having a second pin 136 b extendinglaterally outwardly from a distal end thereof. The second arm 134 bextends from the second vent cap 117 b in a direction parallel to adirection of the first arm 134 a. As shown, the second pin 136 b of thesecond vent cap 117 b is offset in respect of a center of the body 118of the second vent cap 117 b and is spaced from the second vent cap 117b. The second pin 136 b operably couples the second vent cap 117 b tothe first translation member 138 a at a second end thereof. The secondpin 136 b of the second vent cap 117 b includes a cylindrical sectionhaving an enlarged end. A configuration of the enlarged end, wherein theenlarged end has slots formed therein, permits the enlarged end of thesecond pin 136 b to be inserted into a respective aperture formed in thesecond end of the first translation member 138 a. The slots permit acompression of the enlarged end through the respective aperture of thefirst translation member 138 a to engage the first translation member138 a to the second vent cap 117 b. A diameter of the aperture of thefirst translation member 138 a is slightly smaller than a diameter ofthe enlarged end of the second pin 136 b of the second vent cap 117 b.

The upper portion 120 of the third vent cap 117 c includes a radiallyoutwardly extending third arm 134 c having a second pin 136 c extendinglaterally outwardly from a distal end thereof. The third arm 134 cextends in a direction opposite the direction of the first arm 134 a andthe second arm 134 b. As shown, the second pin 136 c of the third ventcap 117 c is offset in respect of a center of the body 118 of the thirdvent cap 117 c and spaced from the third vent cap 117 c. The second pin136 c operably couples the third vent cap 117 c to a first end of asecond translation member 138 b. The second translation member 138 b issubstantially parallel to and laterally offset in a second direction,opposite the first direction, from the primary member 132 prior to andafter an installation of the vent cap gang 103 into the battery cover102.

As illustrated, the second vent cap 117 b is also operably coupled to atleast one actuator 160 by the first pin 126 of the second vent cap 117 band the second pin 136 b of the second arm 134 b. The actuator 160 isoperably coupled to the second translation member 138 b by a connectingpin 137 formed on a second end of the second translation member 138 b.The actuator 160 shown includes axially opposed grips 162. In anon-limiting example, the actuator 160 is received in an indentation 163formed in a top portion of each of the primary member 132 and thetranslation members 138 a, 138 b. The indentation 163 formed in theprimary member 132 is formed in a substantially central portion of theprimary member 132 with respect to a lengthwise direction thereof. Theindentations 163 formed in each of the translation members 138 a, 138 bare formed in the second ends of each of the translation members 138 a,138 b. Although, it is understood, the indentations 163 can be formed atany portion of the respective primary member 132 and translation members138 a, 138 b, as desired. Shoulder portions 164 of the members 132, 138a, 138 b defining the indentations 163 are configured as end stopsduring a pivoting of the actuator 160. It is understood that the ventcap gang 103 may further include at least one locking feature such as aprotuberance, a detent, or the like, for example, which maintains aposition of the vent cap gang 103 prior to the installation thereof intothe battery cover 102.

The translation members 138 a, 138 b are diagonally positioned withrespect to each other. Each of the translation members 138 a, 138 b hasa length smaller than a length of the primary member 132. As shown inFIGS. 5-7, the translation members 138 a, 138 b are substantiallysimilar to each other, except the second translation member 138 bincludes the connecting pin 137 formed thereon. Advantageously, theconnecting pin 137 is formed on the second translation member 138 b sothe second vent cap 117 b is not required to include an additional arm,beyond the second arm 134 b, extending radially outwardly from thesecond vent cap 117 b. Consequently, because each of the vent caps 117are similar, each of the vent caps 117 can be manufactured by the sameprocess.

The second translation member 138 b includes a pair of windows 170having an arcuate shape laterally formed adjacent the connecting pin137. During manufacturing, the windows 170 militate against the use ofmolding slides, which minimizes manufacturing costs.

When installation of the vent cap gang 103 within the battery cover isdesired, the vent caps 117 of the vent cap gang 103 are aligned with thevent ports 104 of the battery cover 102. More particularly, the tabs 122of each of the vent caps 117 are offset from the bayonet tabs 106 ofeach of the vent ports 104. In certain embodiments, the locking featuremilitates against an undesired movement of the actuator 160, thetranslation members 138 a, 138 b, and hence, the vent caps 117 after anassembly of the vent cap gang 103. Accordingly, the tabs 122 of each ofthe vent caps 117 are offset from the bayonet tabs 106 of each of thevent ports 104 without requiring additional adjustment by fieldpersonnel.

The lower portion 121 of each body 118 of the vent caps 117 issubstantially simultaneously urged downward into each of the vent ports104 having the tabs 122 thereof disposed between the bayonet tabs 106 ofthe vent ports 104. Once the body 118 of each of the vent caps 117 isinserted into the vent ports 104, the tabs 122 are located below thebayonet tabs 106 of the vent ports 104. A force is then applied againstthe grips 162 of the actuator 160 to cause a pivotal movement thereof.In certain embodiments, the force applied to the grips 162 of theactuator 160 is such to overcome a resistance force of the lockingfeature. The pivotal movement of the actuator 160 causes a lateralmovement of the translation members 138 a, 138 b, which in turn causessubstantially simultaneous rotational movement of the vent caps 117. Inthe embodiment shown, the first translation member 138 a translates in adirection towards the third vent cap 117 c and the second translationmember 138 b translates in a direction towards the first vent cap 117 auntil pivotal movement of the actuator 160 is stopped by the shoulders164 of the primary member 132. As a non-limiting example, the vent caps117 are rotated up to about 90 degrees in a first direction or aclockwise direction. It is understood, however, that the vent cap gang103 can be configured wherein the pivotal movement of the actuator 160causes the vent caps 117 to rotate in the first direction in acounter-clockwise direction. The rotational movement of the vent caps117 causes a substantially simultaneous rotational movement of the tabs122 of the vent caps 117 and an engagement of the tabs 122 with thebayonet tabs 106 of the vent ports 104. As the tabs 122 of the vent caps117 and the tabs 106 of the vent ports 104 are engaged, the vent capgang 103 is secured in the battery cover 102. When the vent cap gang 103is secured and in the engaged position, each sealing member 119 iscompressed between the flange 125 of the vent cap 117 and the rim of thevent ports 104 to form a substantially fluid-tight seal.

When removal of the vent cap gang 103 from the vent ports 104 is desiredsuch as for battery maintenance or service, for example, the vent capgang 103 is disengaged from the vent ports 104. More particularly, aforce is applied against the grips 162 of the actuator 160 in acounter-clockwise or second direction, causing a pivotal movement of theactuator 160 and a substantially simultaneous rotational movement of thevent caps 117. As a non-limiting example, the vent caps 117 are rotatedup to about 90 degrees in the clockwise direction. It is understood,however, that the vent cap gang 103 can be configured such that thepivotal movement of the actuator 160 causes the vent caps 117 to rotatein the second direction in the counter-clockwise direction. Therotational movement of the vent caps 117 causes a substantiallysimultaneous rotational movement of the tabs 122 of the vent caps 117and a disengagement of the tabs 122 from the bayonet tabs 106 of thevent ports 104. As the tabs 122 of the vent caps 117 and the tabs 106 ofthe vent ports 104 are disengaged, the vent cap gang 103 is releasedfrom the battery cover 102. Once released, the vent cap gang 103 can beremoved from the battery cover 102 by an axial movement thereof.

In another embodiment, the bayonet tabs 122 can be configured forpush-in style installation. When installation of the vent cap gang 103within the battery cover 102 is desired, the vent caps 117 of the ventcap gang 103 are aligned with the vent ports 104 of the battery cover102. More particularly, the bayonet tabs 122 of each of the vent caps117 are aligned with the respective bayonet tabs 106 of each of the ventports 104. In certain embodiments, the locking feature militates againstan undesired movement of the actuator 160, the translation members 138a, 138 b and hence, the vent caps 117 after an assembly of the vent capgang 103. Accordingly, the bayonet tabs 122 of each of the vent caps 117are aligned with the respective bayonet tabs 106 of each of the ventports 104 without requiring additional adjustment by field personnel.

The lower portion 121 of each body 118 of the vent caps 117 issubstantially simultaneously urged downward into the vent ports 104 bythe members 132, 138 a, 138 b without rotational movement thereof. Asthe body 118 of each of the vent caps 117 is inserted into the ventports 104, the bayonet tabs 122 of the vent caps 117 slidingly contactthe bayonet tabs 106 of the vent ports 104. The vent cap gang 103 isurged downward until the bayonet tabs 122 are positioned under a lowersurface of the bayonet tabs 106 of the vent ports 104 to secure the ventcap gang 103 in the battery cover 102 without rotational movementthereof. When the vent cap gang 103 is secured and in an engagedposition, each sealing member 119 is compressed between the flange 125of the vent cap 117 and the rim of the vent port 104 to form asubstantially fluid-tight seal.

When removal of the vent cap gang 103 from the vent ports 104 is desiredsuch as for battery maintenance or service, for example, the vent capgang 103 is disengaged from the vent ports 104. More particularly, aforce is applied to the grips 162 of the actuator 160, causing a pivotalmovement thereof. In certain embodiments, the force applied to the grips162 of the actuator 160 is such that as to overcome a resistance forceof the locking feature 166. The pivotal movement of the actuator 160causes a lateral movement of the translation members 138 a, 138 b, whichin turn causes substantially simultaneous rotational movement of thevent caps 117. As a non-limiting example, the vent caps 117 are rotatedup to about 90 degrees in a counter-clockwise direction. It isunderstood, however, that the vent cap gang 103 can be configured suchthat the pivotal movement of the actuator 160 causes the vent caps 117to rotate in a clockwise direction. As the vent caps 117 rotate, thebayonet tabs 122 of the vent caps 117 slidingly contact, and ultimatelydisengage, the bayonet tabs 106 of the vent ports 104. Once the bayonettabs 122 are disengaged, the vent cap gang 103 is removed from the ventports 104 by an axial movement thereof.

Advantageously, the vent cap gang 103 of the present disclosure areefficient and ergonomically structured, while minimizing manufacturingcosts. The configuration of the primary member 132 with respect to thetranslation members 138 a, 138 b permits the vent cap gang 103 to beinstalled and coupled to pre-existing battery covers 102 while avoidinga disturbance or contact with a battery terminal post.

From the foregoing description, one ordinarily skilled in the art caneasily ascertain the essential characteristics of this invention and,without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, can make variouschanges and modifications to the invention to adapt it to various usagesand conditions.

What is claimed is:
 1. A battery cover assembly comprising: a batterycover including a plurality of vent ports formed therethrough, each ofthe plurality of vent ports having a pair of diametrically opposedbayonet tabs formed on an inner surface thereof; and a vent cap gangincluding: a plurality of vent caps, each of the plurality of vent capsincluding a first pin at an axial center thereof and a second pin offsetfrom the axial center, the plurality of vent ports receiving theplurality of vent caps; a primary member coupled to the first pin ofeach of the plurality of vent caps; a first translation member operablycoupled to the second pin of a first one of the plurality of vent capsand the second pin of a second one of the plurality of vent caps; asecond translation member operably coupled to the second pin of a thirdone of the plurality of vent caps; and an actuator operably coupled tothe first translation member and the second translation member to causesubstantially simultaneous rotational movement of the plurality of ventcaps.
 2. The battery cover assembly of claim 1, wherein the secondtranslation member has a connecting pin formed thereon, the connectingpin coupling the actuator to the second translation member.
 3. Thebattery cover assembly of claim 1, wherein the actuator is configured tofacilitate an installation of the plurality of vent caps into theplurality of vent ports with up to about 90 degrees of rotationalmovement to engage the bayonet tabs of the plurality of vent caps withthe bayonet tabs of the plurality of vent ports,
 4. The battery coverassembly of claim 1, wherein the vent cap gang is configured tofacilitate an installation of the plurality of vent caps into theplurality of vent ports without rotational movement thereof, and whereinthe actuator is configured to facilitate a removal of the plurality ofvent caps from the plurality of vent ports with up to about 90 degreesof rotational movement to disengage the bayonet tabs of the plurality ofvent caps from the bayonet tabs of the plurality of vent ports.
 5. Thebattery cover assembly of claim 1, wherein the first translation memberis diagonally offset from the second translation member.
 6. The batterycover assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the first translation memberand the second translation member has a length less than a length of theprimary member.
 7. The battery cover assembly of claim 1, wherein eachof the plurality of vent caps includes a radially outwardly extendingarm coupling one of the first translation member and the secondtranslation member to a respective one of the plurality of vent caps. 8.The battery cover assembly of claim 1, wherein the actuator includesaxially opposed grips formed thereon.
 9. The battery cover assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the actuator is received in indentations formed in eachof the primary member, the first translation member, and the secondtranslation member.
 10. The battery cover assembly of claim 2, whereinthe actuator is coupled to the first pin of the second one of theplurality of vent caps, the second pin of the second one of theplurality vent caps, and the connecting pin of the second translationmember.
 11. The battery cover assembly of claim 1, wherein the first pinof each of the plurality of vent caps includes a cylindrical section andan enlarged end.
 12. The battery cover assembly of claim 1, wherein eachof the plurality of vent caps includes a radially outwardly extendingarm, and wherein the second pin of each of the plurality of vent caps isdisposed at a distal end of the arm of a respective one of the pluralityof vent caps.
 13. The battery cover assembly of claim 1, wherein anindentation is formed in an upper surface of each of the primary member,the first translation member, and the second translation member, andwherein the actuator is received in the indentation formed in each ofthe primary member, the first translation member, and the secondtranslation member.
 14. The battery cover assembly of claim 13, whereinthe actuator is received in the indentation formed in each of theprimary member, the first translation member, and the second translationmember.
 15. The battery cover assembly of claim 13, wherein a shoulderportion defines the indentation of each of the primary member, the firsttranslation member, and the second translation member, the shoulderportion configured as an end stop militating against rotational movementof the plurality of vent caps beyond a predetermined degree of rotation.16. The battery cover assembly of claim 2, wherein the secondtranslation member includes a pair of windows having an arcuate shapelaterally formed adjacent the connecting pin.